Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 rumors: Everything we know and what we want to see

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series ranks as the best trio of Android tablets, bringing top-notch specs, premium designs, and great software. Nevertheless, we just know that Samsung is working on the Galaxy Tab S10 series, and we’ve already seen a few apparent leaks at this point. So what will the company’s new high-end slates look like? Read on to find out more about the Galaxy Tab S10 series.

Will there be a Galaxy Tab S10 series?

The Galaxy Tab S10 range is arguably the most popular flagship Android tablet series out there, so it stands to reason that Samsung is working on new models for 2024. It’s also worth noting that the company has launched new flagship Android slates each year for the last couple of years. The company skipped a launch in 2021, though, so this is far from a foregone conclusion.

In saying so, WinFuture journalist Roland Quandt spotted what could be the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus’s model number (SM-X828). So it seems like the series is indeed in the works.

What is the most likely Galaxy Tab S10 series launch date?

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series — August 5, 2020
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series — February 9, 2022
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 range — July 26, 2023

Nailing down a Galaxy Tab S10 series launch window is a tough task. That’s because the Galaxy Tab S9 range launched in July 2023 alongside the company’s foldable phones, while the Galaxy Tab S8 series launched in February 2022 alongside the Galaxy S22 series. The company launched the Galaxy Tab S7 series in 2020 at an August Unpacked event, skipping a flagship tablet launch in 2021. For what it’s worth, the Tab S6 series was unveiled in July 2019.

So if we assume that the Galaxy Tab S8  line’s launch date was a departure from the norm, then it makes sense to see the Galaxy Tab S10 series in July or August 2024. The device would likely launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 if it is indeed launching in H2 2024.

What will the Galaxy Tab S10 range look like?

We haven’t actually seen any leaked renders or claims regarding the Galaxy Tab S10 range’s design. So we’re really not sure what to expect at this juncture.

Previous models do give us some ideas of what we might be getting, though. Recent models were equipped with aluminum frames and an S Pen attachment slot on the back, so these design elements seem like a given. The Galaxy Tab S9 series also brought an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, so it seems like a sensible guess that Samsung will keep this for the Tab S10 range.

What rumored specs and features could the Galaxy Tab S10 series have?

We haven’t seen any major Galaxy Tab S10 series spec leaks just yet. The closest thing to leaked info comes via Korean blogger Hakui on Naver, who claimed that Samsung held a discussion with students about what they’d like to see from future products.

Students purportedly told Samsung that they wanted to see features like an anti-reflective coating, an improved S Pen design, lower latency (ostensibly for the S Pen), improved document sharing with third-party devices (e.g. tablets, laptops, whiteboards), and improved speaker/microphone/camera quality.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus battery was purportedly certified in February too (as spotted by 91mobiles), bearing the model numbers EB-BX828ABE and EB-BX828ABY. We didn’t get capacity details from this certification, but it stands to reason that this battery will be in line with the Tab S9 Plus’s 10,090mAh battery.

Samsung’s previous slates also offered the latest flagship processors, so it seems likely that the Galaxy Tab S10 range will offer the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset used in the Galaxy S24 series.

Recent devices have also been equipped with an S Pen, which makes this a no-brainer for the new tablets. It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy Tab S9 series offered OLED screens across the board for the first time. It therefore makes sense that the Tab S10 series might continue this trend.

What might the Galaxy Tab S10 series price be?

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, S7 Plus starting price — $649.99/$849.99
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus, S8 Ultra starting price — $699/$899/$1,099
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, S9 Ultra starting price — $799.99/$999.99/$1,199

We’ve noticed an interesting trend with the last few high-end Galaxy Tabs, and that’s the fact that US launch pricing has always increased with each successive series. This applies to all models, with a $100 to $150 increase from the Galaxy Tab S7 series to the S9 range.

In other words, you shouldn’t be surprised if the Galaxy Tab S10 series has higher pricing across the board compared to 2023’s slates. A higher price tag might also make the company’s FE tablets a more attractive proposition for budget-conscious consumers.

Should you wait for the Galaxy Tab S10 series?

Those looking for high-end Android tablets should definitely consider buying the current Galaxy Tab S9 series  $799 at Amazon, as they’re the best premium Android slates on the market right now. Between the flagship performance, IP68 ratings, high-quality screens, S Pen integration, Samsung-exclusive software tweaks, and long commitment to updates, these tablets will undoubtedly tick some of the same boxes as the Tab S10 range.

The Google Pixel Tablet $499 at Amazon is arguably the closest Android-based rival to the Galaxy Tab series, bringing a similarly great commitment to updates, an included speaker dock for smart display-style functionality, and some nifty AI-powered features. It does lag behind the Galaxy Tab S9 series in some areas, though, such as

Want something cheaper but still value performance above all else? Then you should also think about the OnePlus Pad $479 at OnePlus, bringing a capable Dimensity 9000 chipset and super-fast charging at a much cheaper price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 series wishlist

The Galaxy Tab S9 range certainly makes a strong claim for being the best Android slates on the market, but nothing is perfect. From connectivity and accessories to the design and more, here’s what we want to see from the Galaxy Tab S10 range.

Optional 5G for the entire Tab S10 lineup

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is the only model that offers a 5G option. That’s right; if you want the Tab S9 or Tab S9 Ultra, your only choice is a Wi-Fi-only model. This seems like a silly oversight, especially for the Ultra, which has a large display that could make it a great travel companion for those who need something that can double as a monster productivity machine. I really think all the Galaxy Tab S10 models should have 5G as an option. I can’t see it adding much to the production costs, so it feels like a low-risk change for Samsung.

Of course, 5G isn’t the only thing required to make the Tab S10 a great business travel device. Let’s talk about Samsung’s current keyboard situation.

A better official keyboard dock accessory

As mobile processors become increasingly powerful, we’re seeing more users utilize tablets as laptop substitutes, even if only as a backup solution. The best laptop substitutes have one thing in common: a great keyboard accessory. The most obvious and popular example is the iPad Pro, which has more than one decent keyboard option for turning the tablet into a makeshift laptop. Unfortunately, this isn’t something Samsung has figured out just yet.

Its current Galaxy Book Cover is more of a case with a Bluetooth keyboard, while Apple’s solution makes the iPad feel almost like a true laptop with extras like USB ports and more. Samsung needs to go the same route, offering a keyboard that also works as a dock with ports for stuff like extra USB-C ports and maybe even extras like HDMI. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra would most obviously benefit from this, as its expected size and performance make it a pretty solid analog for the iPad Pro series.

A redesign that changes the aspect ratio

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, which has its own pros and cons. That said, it is definitely a much more rectangular experience than many other tablets out there, even if the width is nearly identical to something like the OnePlus Pad. The whole design makes everything feel more cramped and awkward, even if the screen sizes for the Tab S9 series start at 11 inches.

Personally, I’d like to see the Galaxy Tab S10 models retain the same overall design language but move to a 4:3 aspect ratio like the iPad series. This aspect ratio is better for web apps, browsing, and even light productivity tasks like writing, even if it’s not quite as good for media consumption. Still, Samsung’s Tab S series has a lot of power, and I feel it should aspire to be more than just a glorified media slate.

Smart home hub features would be nice

I’ll be honest, I don’t think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 family necessarily needs to go down the smart home hub route to stand out. It’s clear Google has the strongest ambitions there so far, and Google Assistant is much better suited for this experience than Bixby. Of course, Samsung doesn’t push Bixby nearly as hard anymore, so it’s not like the Galaxy S10’s Hub features couldn’t potentially utilize Google Assistant as an alternative. It should also go without saying that Assistant has effectively been succeeded by Gemini, although Assistant is still the better smart home service.

Still, I think this type of experience would be a great extra, and even Apple is rumored to be working on ways to use the iPad as the brains for the next-gen Apple Home speaker. It’s less clear how Samsung might approach it.

I don’t feel like the Pixel Tablet‘s forced accessory route would make much sense. Probably the best idea would be to make a dock/smart speaker hybrid accessory that could work alone as a Bluetooth speaker and basic Google Assistant/Gemini or Bixby-powered speaker. It could optionally be paired with the Galaxy Tab S10 for a full smart home hub experience that would connect wirelessly from any room. Let’s not forget the elephant in the room though, Bixby Home.

Bixby Home was Samsung’s smart speaker that was killed before it ever existed, though the company did release an even more pathetic Bixby Home Mini variant that did poorly in the market. The point is that Samsung doesn’t have a great reputation in the smart speaker field, so creating a stand-alone might be seen as too risky for Samsung.

Samsung needs to combine all four points and deliver a next-level iPad competitor

I used to be pretty against the idea of tablets, mostly because all my Android tablet experiences had been pretty poor, and even the one iPad my family had left me questioning its purpose beyond a few time-wasting games I enjoyed. I’m now starting to change my mind.

Recently, I got an iPad Pro. I also spent some time with a new Chromebook Plus model that could turn into a (albeit oversized and heavy) tablet. Thanks to a mixture of these two experiences, I’m starting to fall in love with the idea of a device that’s smaller for situations where I don’t need the keyboard, but that can transform into a true workstation when I need it. I feel like mobile hardware and cloud computing have gotten strong enough that this is the right time to finally adopt such a hybrid computing device.

It’s no secret that the Android tablet experience trails the iPad experience, even if Google seems dedicated to changing this with the Google Pixel Tablet and improvements to Android on larger screens that make it a better platform for tablets and foldables. It also has a few decent Chromebooks that can double as Chrome tablets, too. That said, many still think of Samsung as the natural “alternative” to the iPhone, especially in markets with limited brand availability like the United States. I truly believe the Galaxy Tab S10 could fill the same role for Android tablet users as Galaxy phones do for Android phones.

To do this, Samsung needs to push harder. The Galaxy Tab S series has always been good, but it needs to do even more. It needs to prove itself as a good laptop alternative and something that can keep up with the iPad family. By improving all the above factors, Samsung will offer the closest thing to an Android-powered iPad Pro.

Conversely, Samsung should focus less on upgrades and more on pricing

I will admit I’m just one person. While this is my wishlist, I wanted to put this out there to ensure a fair and balanced approach: Samsung could keep doing what it is doing and just lower its price a little instead.

There’s nothing inherently broken with its current strategy, and it’s been enough of a success that Samsung has been the only company consistently releasing tablets when others bowed out. Samsung is the second-largest vendor of tablets in the world and shipped around six million units in Q3 of 2023. That’s not quite the same thing as selling that many, but the point remains the same.

Samsung is consistently called out by consumers and reviewers for being too expensive and there are certainly plenty of cheaper Android tablets out there. The cheapest Galaxy Tab S9 model starts at $799.99, while the iPad starts at $449, or even less at $329 if you’re willing to get the aging 9th-gen model. To be fair, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE Plus in late 2023, which sort of fill the role of the standard iPad pricing-wise.

Still, if Samsung doesn’t want to push further upscale and take on the iPad Pro, the company could at least simplify its lineup and release an FE-priced model right out of the gate instead of waiting until a few months later.